Q & A

Lou Harris

It is the turn of Lou Harris to select and answer five questions. Here's what she had to say.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

I love to create places that evoke a mood, a quiet place to escape to. I love the way you cannot help but put your character into painting. It's as if your soul trickles out through your fingers onto the canvas. I would like to think that when anyone sees my work they know it's mine. It is the greatest joy to me to think that there are lovely people out there who want a piece of me on their wall. Whenever a piece of work is sold it's like winning the lottery; I feel so proud and elated.

What first drew you to art?

From as early as I can remember I have always wanted to convey my thoughts and feelings into pictures. I wouldn't say that I was a natural artist in terms of ability as painting and drawing has never come easy to me. The desire to create has always been there though and that has been my driving force. I can remember feeling frustrated as a child because of that very fact. The desire was there but the ability had to grow and be worked on.

Do you live with your own work?

Living with my work would be like putting mirrors up everywhere. I'd find it a little narcissistic. Don't get me wrong, I love my work, but I also love other people to see it, especially when it's a piece that I'm very proud of.

Old or new?

Strange to say I think a mixture of both. Even though my work is set in the past and I rejoice in memories, I do utilise parts of the modern world to help me live in the present. The joy of life now is that you can be selective about what you do and don't embrace. We have the choice and I choose to use technology to my advantage but not to allow it to take over my life. We are in such a hurry to do everything now and time goes so quickly because we are not paying attention.

What is your favourite poem?

'The Soldier' by Rupert Brooke. I love Britain and everything about it, good and bad. It is my home and I am very proud of it. I have tried living elsewhere and I got terrifically homesick. This magnificent poem evokes that sense of pride, that sense of belonging and desire to be home. It always gives me goose bumps when I hear it.